Can you swim at the beach in Istanbul?
Istanbul is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its history and natural beauty. You can swim in the Marmara and Black Seas with its wide and sandy beaches in Istanbul. With the rising temperatures and humidity, in summer, everyone is looking to cool off.
Thanks to the peninsular region which is surrounded by Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, and Bosporus Strait, there are an array of beaches where you can go frolicking in the sun. The summers in Istanbul are hot which lure people to escape to the sandy warm beaches around Istanbul.
Swimming in may in Bodrum, Dalaman, Izmir, Marmaris, Didim, Andifli, Boldağ, Cesme and Ephesus is possible but the sea is generally cool. So though the sea temperature may sometimes reach 70°F, it can also go as low as 64°F. Note that the average is 67°F.
Unlike Istanbul, the water around the island is clean and perfect for swimming and there are plenty of beaches where you can spend a few hours in the sun.
The Bosphorus is too dirty, its currents are too unpredictable, the giant tankers and freighters that traverse it are too dangerous. On top of all that, it is illegal to swim anywhere but along the shore.
Istanbul is surrounded by the Marmara and Black seas; linked by the Bosphorus with its small islands, so, even though Istanbul is not known as a beach city, it has some excellent options to offer visitors to the city.
Istanbul has 85 accessible beaches or bathing spots, many of them no more than 30 or 40 minutes on the metro from the city centre. Due to the city's unique location, you've also got the choice of swimming the Black Sea in the north, the Sea of Marmara in the south or the Bosphorus Strait in between.
Istanbul offers lovely beaches in its several beautiful coasts, located within 20 km to 60 km. from the city center. Beach-goers may enjoy and lounge in the sun, swim in the sea and sip cocktails at the beach clubs and beach bars on the popular Istanbul beaches.
Both Antalya and Istanbul have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Istanbul than Antalya. The ideal length of time for a trip to Antalya is 2-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Istanbul is 3-7 days.
Conditions of sea water on beaches in Turkey
Today the warmest water in Turkey is recorded in Arsuz. Its value in this location is 82°F. And the coldest one is in Kiyikoy, its value 67°F. The trend can be seen on the graph.
What sea can you not swim in?
- There is no such thing as swimming in the Dead Sea. ...
- The salt that lines the sea bottom is rough on your feet, and will cut you up severely if you don't wear water shoes of some kind.
However, the Black Sea is COMPLETELY SAFE to swim in and is a popular summer destination for many looking for refuge from the heat. The Black Sea has a unique feature, which might make people believe it is not swimmable. The Black Sea is anoxic, meaning there is absolutely no oxygen in the water.

Yes, the driving distance between Istanbul to Çalış Beach is 790 km. It takes approximately 8h 8m to drive from Istanbul to Çalış Beach.
The beaches of the Marmara Sea and Black Sea obviously can't offer up the Mediterranean vibes and stunning coastal panoramas of Turkey's famed coastline farther south. But for a dose of swimming, sea breezes, and sunbathing, they're a welcome escape from the city.